“Curiosity in prying into high speculative and unprofitable questions, is another great stumbling block to the holiness of Scholars” (Herbert, The Country Parson, p. 67).
Both Ways
“In order that the human faculties may work with the greatest harmony and energy, the heart must be in the head, and the head in the heart” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, pp. 227-228)
Liturgical Confession
Introduction: As part of our emphasis on practical Christian living, we have emphasized the importance of confession of sin for many years. We have taught (and continue to teach) that confession is nothing less than full honesty before God, and that such honesty is always to be ongoing and immediate. But something else we do …
Shadows of the Pyramids
We have been considering the importance of self-control, and how it is the key to responsible governance in every larger societal grouping. Slaves to vice individually do not deserve liberty on a larger scale, and whether they deserve it or not, they do not know how to defend it, or how to fight for it …
No Perplexity At All
We know that when we sit down to partake of this meal, we are partaking of our forgiveness. The broken body and blood of Christ are the meal, and our resurrected and forgiving Lord is seated at the head of the Table. We also know that when we partake of this meal we are partaking …
Choice Observations
“The Parson’s Method in handling of a text consists of two parts: first, a plain and evident declaration of the meaning of the text; and secondly, some choice Observations drawn out of the whole text, as it lies entire, and unbroken in the Scripture itself” (Herbert, The Country Parson, p. 64).
Always Potent
“Sermons are dangerous things . . . none goes out of Church as he came in, but either better, or worse” (Herbert, The Country Parson, pp. 62-63).
Joy and Throne
“The Country Parson preacheth constantly, the pulpit is his joy and his throne” (Herbert, The Country Parson, p. 62).
Different Ways It Can Go
“An ignorant, undisciplined, and unspiritual man cannot write a good sermon; neither need a learned, thoroughly disciplined, and holy man, preach a bad extemporaneous sermon” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 221).
Turn Us, Lord: Eighth Decade of Psalms/Psalm 80
Introduction: As with others of the psalms of Asaph, this is likely either in the tradition of the school of Asaph, or by another Asaph downstream from the father of that tradition. The events described here are not what we see in the time of David and Solomon, so it is either written later, or …